How to Install macOS Mojave on VirtualBox on Windows

In this article, I am going to show you how to install macOS Mojave on VirtualBox on Windows. If you are interested about Apple’s new Mac operating system macOS 10.14 Mojave and want to try it, then you are in the right place because here you will find any kinds of files that you will need to install macOS Mojave on VirtualBox on Windows. So make sure to follow the step by step pictorial tutorial below to install the new macOS Mojave 10.14 on Windows on VirtualBox.

Before we get started, make sure your system can support Virtualization technology (VT), and it is enabled from BIOS so that you can run Virtualization software like Virtualbox or VMware. You should also have a 64-bit Windows operating system with at least 2 GB RAM and 20 GB free storage. We recommend 4 GB of RAM or higher and more room so you can store more files and install more apps on macOS Mojave. Also, if you have an SSD, it’s highly recommended that you install it on SSD instead of HDD because you will have much higher performance with SSD.

To install macOS Mojave on VirtualBox on Windows, you must download the following files and read the step by step guide to avoiding any problems. If you miss any of the steps below, then you might be unsuccessful in running it.

Step 1: Extract macOS Mojave Image File

After download macOS Mojave 10.14 from the link above, you need to extract it to get the file macOS Mojave 10.14 VMDK. You can remove the compressed data via WinRAR, 7 Zip or any other extractor that works for you. For this demonstration, I have used Winrar. Locate your macOS Mojave file in an appropriate location then right-click and select Extract to macOS Mojave 10.14 and wait for it to complete.

Extract macOS Mojave VMDK File

Step 2: Install VirtualBox on Windows / PC

Download the latest version of VirtualBox from the link above and then Install it on your Windows PC. To install VirtualBox, click on the setup then hit “Next” for a couple of times and Finally, click “Finished”.

Install VirtualBox on Windows PC

Step 3: Create a New Virtual Machine

After installing VirtualBox, now you will need to create a new virtual machine on Virtualbox.

#1. Open the VirtualBox then click on “New” at the upper left-hand side. Type the name for the Virtual Machine “macOS Mojave” or any other name that you like. Choose the type “Mac OS X” and version to “macOS 10.13 High Sierra (64-bit)” or “Mac OS X (64-bit)” then increase the memory size to minimum 4 GB(4096 MB). From the Hard Disk section select “Use an existing virtual hard disk file” and click on the small folder icon to browse the VMDK file.

Create macOS Mojave Virtual Machine

#2. Once you clicked on the small folder icon, you will see the snapshot down below. Navigate to macOS Mojave Extracted file that you have done on step 1. Select the VMDK Image file and click Open.

Browse macOS Mojave VMDK File

Step 4: Edit the New Virtual Machine

#1. Open the VirtualBox then click on “Settings“.

Go to Virtual Machine Setting

#2. In the “General Tab“, don’t touch anything and let everything to the default. Go to the next option “System“. You will see three main categories. Click on the first tab “Motherboard“. Uncheck “Floppy” drive and set the chipset to “ICH9“. The recommended memory size is at least 4 GB.

Configure Motherboard & Chipset

#3. In the Processor Tab, select 2 Processors or more than that. Don’t forget to tick mark Enable PAE/NX.

Specify Processor

#4. Navigate to “Display option” then put the video memory to 128 MB. Check out Enable3D Acceleration if you want. You can bring changes later on as well, so don’t worry.

Finally, you should see the macOS Mojave Wallpaper, and it successfully installs on VirtualBox.

macOS Mojave Installed Successfully

Conclusion

In this guide, we have covered the following steps. These are the summaries of the above steps.

Extracted macOS Mojave Image File

Installed VirtualBox on Your PC

Created a New Virtual Machine

Edited the New Virtual Machine

Added VirtualBox Code to the CMD

Played the Virtual Machine

Performed a Clean Installation of macOS Mojave 10.14

If you have any kinds of questions, suggestions or inquiries on how to install macOS Mojave on VirtualBox on Windows, please feel free to leave a comment down below this post. We will answer your every question and get your suggestion for our future works. Thanks for being with us.

I am the CEO of wikigain.com and a network instructor. Here is my online pictorial notebook. I would like to write and share my experience through this website for computer enthusiasts, how to guides and technology geeks.

71 Comments

Was able to install Majave, it is the beta version. I had the issues with no mouse or keyboard and was able to get control back with the USB3 fix, but then you lose control of the mouse for the host PC until you close the VM.

Graphics can be jittery and it is very slow. I was hoping to check out Xcode, but I could not find it in the app store. Maybe not available for the Beta?

On bootup it displays the Apple and the progress bar and Joel is happy then it goes to a grey screen forever and Joel is sad.
I previously successfully setup High Sierra with a wikigains guide. I already had extension pack installed. I’ve tried various suggestions re usb3, Use Host I/O Cache etc to no effect. I am using VirtualBox 5.2.12.
Any suggestions?

I have followed all instructions and Mohave starts. But Finder just keeps flashing on and off repeatedly. I cannot stop it or access any folders e.g. Applications. Is this as good as it gets? (I have been using your solution for Sierra and High Sierra previously and they worked very well)

Just like Jack I followed all steps (I’ve tried many time) and I get this:
end openvolume
start processoptions
end processoptions
registerrestartdataprotocol: called. 0xdb146398
restartdata protocol installed successfully.
start setconsolemode
end setcosoleprotocall
start readkernalcache
end readkernalcache

you get it and the last to lines that were displayed are start randomseed

Hi there,
I was hoping you could share some more information on a problem you solved.

If I setup two identical Virtual Machines, and execute the vbox manage command to set those extra attributes accordingly, I can get mojave up and running with the disk image you provided where Mojave was already installed.

I can see you created the disk with Mac Journled with no special partitions or other bootloaders.

On my 2nd machine the only difference is, I would like to install Mojave from an official Mojave iso I created from the Mojave package distributed by apple.

In this 2nd case, the iso boots, I create the disk, and begin the installation, but partway through the install it crashes and reboots.

Could you provide the steps for how you created the disk image you are providing here please.

Hello, thanks for the article.
I’m trying to install Mojave in Virtualbox inside Mojave. I’ve done everything suggested but im stuck at a grey screen after a quick “Apple Logo” loading.
I can only move the mouse.
What can i do?

Hello, thanks for the article. Im trying to install Mojave on VirtualBox inside Mojave.
I’ve done everything suggested in this guide but i’m stuck at a gray screen after a quick “Apple Logo” loading. I can only move the mouse. What can i do?

I have followed all instructions and Mohave starts. But Finder just keeps flashing on and off repeatedly. I cannot stop it or access any folders e.g. Applications. Is this as good as it gets? (I have been using your solution for Sierra and High Sierra previously and they worked very well)

I followed every step but its just coming up with a small amount of text that says
end openvolume
start processoptions
end processoptions
registerrestartdataprotocol: called. 0xdb15d118
restartdata protocol installed successfully.
start setconsolemode
end setcosoleprotocall
start readkernalcache
end readkernalcache

you get it and the last to lines that were displayed are start randomseed

I can’t send files to the VM. I’m pretty much builiding this VM because there is a tool I need that exists only on OSX, and If I can’t send 30gb of data to the VM the effort was useless to me. I can’t install guest additions. I can’t send the files to the VM anyways. What to do?

I have downloaded the files in parts and now i am trying to extract it and as extraction form winrar compleates a popup appears askin to replace the file or skip because of same name what should i do plaease help

Actually, I have a mac OS High Sierra 10.13 on a VM VirtualBox working fine as a real mac, with Developer Apple ID, connected to my network to support windows clients running Xamarin Forms and that’s why I expect these versions to be the same.
BTW, what’s the point of trying something with lack of some important primary functions?

P.S. this is not to undermine your efforts on this matter, it’s appreciated.

Hello Faiz Orz & Mukhtar, dear readers,
Thanks for this work, it took me a while but it’s a complete and working tuto, probably the best I’ve found & tried on the internet.
To all readers, you have to follow carefully and strictly this tuto step by step, and don’t be shy when giving RAM to the VM. I’m using the machine on my laptop (light Asus) and gave it 8Gb out of 16Gb and it’s not perfectly fluid. I’ve had to plug additional mouse and keyboard to have controls.
Don’t expect it to work fully, many things haven’t been designed in purpose … for example on my config the only thing not working (so far) is … displaying Finder, which is blocking …. Also my additional mouse & keyboard are only usable on the VM when the VM is running, but it’s part of the deal.

This doesn’t work. Tried everything several times. Came as far as the “Choose Country” but could never get the mouse or keyboard integration to work. Tried both MAC OSX versions and with and without the Host cache selected. No difference. This just doesn’t work. Windows guest OS works just fine, and MAC OSX Sierra worked just fine, so there’s nothing wrong with my VB setup.

Download VirtualBox Extension pack from VirtualBox website. Open up VirtualBox, go to File> Preferences and select Extension. Click on the + icon and select Extension Pack. Install it then go to Virtual Machine settings. From right-hand side click on USB and add your mouse and keyboard then try again.

This doesn’t work. After the verbose startup is loads to a grey screen with the mouse being stuck in the top left. I allocated 4096 MB of Ram, made sure to inject the code into virtualbox (without it being open) and made sure my settings matched. I also made sure to try both Mac OS (64 Bit) and Mac OS X High Sierra (64 Bit) modes on virtualbox, with neither working and showing the exact same screen.

Download VirtualBox Extension pack from VirtualBox website. Open up VirtualBox, go to File> Preferences and select Extension. Click on the + icon and select Extension Pack. Install it then go to Virtual Machine settings. From right-hand side click on USB and add your mouse and keyboard then try again.

@Ethan
I was also facing same problem and it was resolved by going to virtual machine (macOS Mojave) settings > usb > Enable usb controller > select USB 3.0 xHCI Controller.
Then start VM it will work. But do install extension pack and other remedies suggested by Mukhtar.